NEW DELHI, India April 16 (NNN-PTI) -- The Supreme Court today directed the Jammu and Kashmir state government to provide security to the family of the eight-year-old Kathua gang-rape and murder victim, the lawyer and a family friend assisting them in pursuing the case.

The apex court also took note of a plea of the victim's father seeking transfer of the trial of the case from Kathua, preferably to Chandigarh and sought response of the state government.

During the hearing, the victim's father expressed satisfaction with the probe so far, conducted by Jammu and Kashmir state Police and opposed the plea for CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) investigation demanded by others.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud asked the state police to provide adequate security at the observation home where a juvenile accused has been kept and fixed the next date of hearing on April 27.

The bench said those policemen providing security to the victim's family and others will be in plain clothes.--NNN-PTI